French Connection

There are 15 games to go and the future looks bright with how we are playing"

Nouha Dicko

Nouha Dicko has highlighted Bakary Sako as both a player – and personality – who can help Wolves over the finishing line in their push for promotion.

There had been speculation over Sako’s Molineux future both last summer and then into the regular season, but the winger has knuckled down and got on with his job to now be producing arguably his best and most consistent form of the campaign.

Dicko has been on the winning side in each of his first four appearances during his permanent spell at Wolves, and has been delighted to be re-united with Sako having been on loan at Wolves at the end of last season.

“Bakary is a great player and someone who could probably play at a higher level as he showed at Wolves last season,” says the striker.

“Apart from the football side he is also a great character and person.

“A lot of players might have turned around after relegation and said ‘no, I don’t want to stay here in League One’.

“But I think he knows this was a good challenge for him – to help a big club like Wolves try and get back to where it belongs.

“I think he has done great in that respect so far and we are all pleased to have him in the team.

“It’s good for me to be playing in a team alongside such a good footballer as him.

“He is older than me and also has some good achievements in his career so I can talk to him and learn from him.”

Dicko is relishing being back at Wolves, now on a permanent basis, and has been the front part of a well-functioning attacking unit in recent weeks.

His pace and power have been causing opposition defences problems as well as chipping in with a couple of goals and assists.

He added: “I’ve been here for over six weeks now and everything has gone well for me and the team.

“I am pleased with how it is gone and that is thanks to the gaffer and the other lads and everybody at the football club.

“I am very happy to be here and happy that I have helped the team at a time when he have shown some good form.

“I have enjoyed the games and managed to get a few goals and hopefully there are many more to come.

“We have been playing some good football and I think everybody could see that in the last result against Brentford who were top of the league.

“I think that showed we are in really good form and that we are all really focused on our task.”

Next up for Dicko and Wolves is Port Vale at Molineux on Saturday (3pm).

The 21-year-old Frenchman is calling for more of the same if Wolves are to achieve their aim of a top two finish.

“I think it is really good to be involved with this team at the moment,” he added.

“There are 15 games to go and the future looks bright with how we are playing.

“But we have to stay focused on what we have to do if we are to get back to the Championship.

“We have to keep that going against Port Vale.

“We have a good team and a strong squad and if we play as we have been I think we have a good chance of winning the game.

“All of the games are going to be tough – we have to treat every single one the same and work as hard as we can.

“If we can do that then there is a good chance of getting our reward.”